A former Red Bull driver himself, Alex Albon believes there is “clearly” some pressure on RB drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson to perform in order to get the nod to be Max Verstappen’s team-mate at the senior team next season, and that is noticeable even “in the moves” they try during the races.
Speaking to select media at the São Paulo GP weekend, the current Williams driver stated that Liam Lawson’s is currently in a “win-win” situation due to the nature of his sudden comeback at Austin, as he either gets the nod for the main team or stays at VCARB for his first full-season in F1 – but warned the Kiwi driver about the dangers of moving up too quickly, as Albon experienced with his tough spell at Red Bull after being promoted midway through his rookie season in 2019:
“I think Liam’s in a win-win. Worst case scenario, he’s in an RB [in 2025],” he said. “In my head, do you need to jump into the main team that quickly against Max? From my experience, it’s not a bad thing to spend a couple of years learning your craft a bit more.
“But of course there’s the opportunity, and if you’re going to have the opportunity, you have to take it.”
A two-time podium finisher with Red Bull in 2020, Albon reckons that there is “pressure” between RB drivers Tsunoda and Lawson to impress Red Bull’s senior figures, and said he noticed that in some aggressive moves and driving from them in recent races, after being involved in a start-line crash with Tsunoda in Mexico that wiped them both out before turn 1:
“There’s clearly a bit of pressure, I would say, between the RB drivers to get that seat. I think you feel that a little bit.
“I see it in the races, I see it in the moves [they make],” said Albon. “That’s just the name of the game. I think the two hungry drivers are looking for a spot at the top. I get it.”
When asked about Lawson’s outburst of throwing a middle finger at Sergio Perez in Mexico, Albon said he wouldn’t have done it given the home race status for the Mexican – but believes it was more pure and natural “frustration” than feeling the pressure to deliver a good result:
“I don’t think that’s pressure. I think that’s just actual frustration towards the other driver.
“I personally wouldn’t have done that, not in Mexico, at the home race. [But] it’s just drivers. I think everyone’s hungry.”
